Self-leveling berth



(No Model.)

J. H. & E. P. PORTER.

SELF LBVELING BERTH.

Patented June 5, 1883;

Ire/u a 1125 21;,

u. PETERS. Fhatn-Liihagrlpbar. Washington. D, c.

UNITED STATES PATENT; OFF CE.

JAMES H. PORTER AND ED WVIN F. PORTER, OF BOSTON, l\IASSAOHUSETTS.

SELF-LEVELING BERT H.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 278,732, dated June 5, 1883.

' Application filed February .23, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it natty concern:

Be it known thatwe, J AMES H. PORTER and EDWINF. PORTER, both of Boston, in the coun ty of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Self-Leveling Berths or Equivalent Structures, of which i the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of selfleveling berths or equivalent structures in which a beam is employed, which is pivoted to oscillate longitudinally, and to which the berth is pivoted, so that it can oscillate in a direction at right angles to the direction of oscillation of the beam, as shown, for example, in Letters Patent of the United States granted to J. H. Porter, one of the present applicants, December 27, 1881.

Heretofore in this class of berths the pivoted beam ,has been supported only by its pivot.

Our invention has for its object, first, to furnish an additional support or supports for the beam, and thus diminish the wear and strain on the pivot thereof; and, secondly, to provide improved means for changing the center of gravity of the berth, so asto compensate for any inequalities in the distribution of the contents of the berth.

To these ends our invention consists in the improvements which we will now proceed to describe and claim. I

Of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a berth-and supporting devices embodying our invention. Fig. 2 represents a section online as 00, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents a side elevation, showing a modification, and .Fig. 4 represents an end elevation of Fig. 3.

- The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.

In the drawings,,A represents the beam or frame which constitutes the direct support of the berth or structure B. Said frame is, in this instance, arranged mainly under the berth,

and has a central upwardly-projeeting arm or' extension, 2, which is pivoted at C to a wall or other fixed support, and two upwardly-projecting arms, 3 3, to which the ends of the berth are pivoted at D D, the beam or frame being adapted to oscillate longitudinally and the berth laterally or at right angles to the direction of oscillation of the frame. The pivots of the beam and berth are preferably provided with friction-rollers like those shown in the above-named patent, to which reference is made for a fuller description, and the pivots of the berth are preferably provided with rubber or other springs to absorb the jars or vibra tions of the vessel, as also shown in said patent. E represents a fixed curved track attached to the deck, and located under the beam or frame A with its upper surface concentric with the pivot O of said frame. 7

to or forming a part of the frame A, said curved portion being concentric with the pivot G and tween the curved portion F and track E are placed a series of friction-rollers, G, which di rectly support the curved portion F and allow the same to move freely back and forth when the frame A oscillates. Said friction-rollers are preferably journaled in curved plates H H, which connect the rollers in a series and prevent them from being displaced. If desired, however, balls may be used instead of cylindrical rollers, the proximate surfaces of the track E and curved portion F being grooved to prevent the lateral displacement of the balls. It will be observed that the curved track and rollers constitute an effective additional support for the beam or frame, sustaining nearly out interfering with or retarding the oscillations of the frame. If desired, two tracks E may be provided, as shown in Fig. 4, the frame being provided with two corresponding portions, F.

M represents a curved arm rigidly attached to the frame A, and preferably concentric with the pivot of the frame. On the arm M is a the arm, and provided with means for holding it in any position to which it may be adjusted. It will be seen that by changing the position of the weight N the center of gravity of the frame and berth will be correspondingly changed, so that in case the contents of the berth are unevenly distributed, and the berth is inclined thereby, such uneven distribution can be compensated for and the berth leveled by adjusting the weight.

It is obvious that a cattle-crib may be sup- F represents a curved portion rigidly attached 7 the entire weight of the frame and berth withparallel with the track E. In the space beweight, N, which is adapted to be adjusted on ported by the described means, the auxiliary supports being adapted to sustain a heavilyweighted structure. A section of floor of sufficient size to support a dining-table and a number of people may be similarly supported.

We claim 1. The combination of a frame carrying a berth suspended to swing laterally thereon, a stationary longitudinal curved track or bed supporting the said frame, and pivoted to a stationary support at one side of the berth and at a point concentric with the circle with which said bed coincides, substantially as set forth.

2. The pivoted longitudinally swinging frame supporting the laterally-swinging berth I 5 or structure, and provided with an arm, M, and a weight, N, movable upon said arm, whereby the center of gravity of the berth or structure may be changed, as setforth.

In testimony whereof we have signedour 20 names to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 18th day of February, 1882;

JAMES H. PORTER. EDWIN F. PORTER. Vitnesses:

O. F. BROWN, A. L. WHITE 

